(a) whether the High Courts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have directed the
Union Government to pay minimum wages to workers under Minimum Wages Act under the
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS);
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
(c) whether the Supreme Court has issued directions to the Union Government in this
regard; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI PRADEEP JAIN `ADITYA`)
(a) & (b): In Writ Petition No. 30619/2009 connected with other Writ Petitions filed
before the High Court of Karnataka, the petitioners had challenged the constitutional
validity of Section 6(1) of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee
Act (MGNREGA), 2005 and issue of notification specifying wage rate, on the ground
that it can not be less than the minimum wage rate for unskilled agricultural labourers
fixed under the Minimum Wages Act. The High Court of Karnataka vide its Order dated
23.09.2011 accepted their pleas and directed the Central Government to make payment
of arrears. A Special Leave Petition (Civil) No. 379-390 of 2012 has been filed before
the Supreme Court against the aforesaid judgment of the Karnataka High Court. In a
Writ Petition on similar issue filed before the High Court of Andhra Pradesh, the Court
has reserved its judgement. The matter is thus sub judice.
(c): No sir.
(d): Does not arise.